new wife moblie, recomendations? (=excuse for new products)

[LightngSVT]

Today we are picking up my wifes new 06 Mercury Mariner, all the toys except for leather which she doesnt like. This is her first car in a about 6 years as she has had company cars, so she will have to be trained on how to take care of it (I wasnt so vigilant with the company cars). Also it will sit outside this winter, but will be garaged once our new garage (with house attached :grinno: ) is done in ealry spring.



The truck is black with black / tan interior. I know there will be dealer prep issues to correct. I already told her we need to buy new supplies for her car, :woot: . Are Ford/Mercury paints generally hard or soft? My Contour has very hard paint and my Lightnings were moderate. Im debating between the Optimum line or trying the new Zaino stuff? I think through November Ill use some Sovereign on it, just because its new and its black. But for winter would I be best to go with the Z, or Collinite 476, or Z topped with 476, or... ? Would the chemicals in the 476 break down the Z? At that point Ill be looking for a combo to last December through March/April in a Michigan salty/snowy winter. What special precautions need to be taken, or products used on the "chrome" inserts on the bumpers (are they in fact metal?)?



Any other good recommendations on dressing, tools or polishes? I havent bought any products this year to speak of, but my cabinets are still pretty full.



Ill post pics later.

 

[LightngSVT]

So no one has any recomendations of how to help me spend some money? huh... Anyway here are a few pics from the dealer, you may be able to see the uneven tire dressing and various smear and missed spots. Swirling is almost none surprisingly, but there are a few marks and scuffs.

 

[SpoiledMan]

Chuck, let me start by saying I'd sure like to see more pictures of your toys before you pawn them off.



As for products I'd say that you can't go wrong with either Zaino or Optimum products. Have you thought about the Clearkote bunch? They have some pretty easy to use and effective products too.

 

[imported_themightytimmah]

I'd say clay it, PO85RD (if you want to spend the cash, Optimum if not) via pc/white pad, followed by VM pc/white followed by RMG pc/black and topped with Souveran for the summer months (if you like the best overall look). To go wetter but less reflective, switch PS for Blue Natty's and Optimum for the PO85RD. If you're looking for a more reflective look, go ZPC and coat with Z to your hearts content.



Once it gets into winter, I personally run FK2180 topped with Collinite 915 x2, but Z/476s should be just as good.

 

[LightngSVT]

Im thinking tomorrow its going to get:



NXT wash

clay

VM with white polishing pad

soveriegn by hand



Its the wife mobile, its not getting a 5 or 6 step polish / protect. I figure Itll get the best protection it can and then probably 3 polishing sessions per year while she has it. Noe to teach her how to take care of a car...



SpoiledMan, what would you like ot see pics of? I only have the M3 vert, Contour SVT, 91 Mustang GT and the 93 Lightning.

 

[SpoiledMan]

Chuck, I'm a car fan. Post em all! It's your thread. The M3 and the "Thunder & Lightning" would work for me though.

 

[Accumulator]

So no one has any recomendations of how to help me spend some money?

Why *SURE* I can help you spend some money!



Get a foamgun IMO wash-induced marring is the biggest threat to the finish of black vehicles that get real-world use (i.e., actually get dirty).



My wifemobile strategy- don't try for absolute perfection, use products that'll hide a few little things. I kinda like the Collinite idea, that's what I use on Accumulatorette's A8 in the winter. While I'd trust her with *any* vehicle under any conditions, she appreciates not having to worry about keeping her daily driver as nice as, say, my S8. The vehicles I use sealants on we have to *really* be careful with, since they show all the marring. It's sorta a pain with the minivan, always having to be super-careful with the family beater.



Note that all sorts of things can happen to daily drivers in the winter, no matter how careful you are.



I used the #80/glaze/carnauba regimen on our black rent-a-Suburban and it worked out really well. I could keep it nice enough, even for me, without knocking myself out all the time.